What happened
On October 17, 2009, a Robin DR400-120, registered F-GAOG, was conducting a solo instructional flight departing from Rochefort aerodrome. The pilot, a student, was navigating toward Pointe de la Courbe at an altitude of 1,700 feet. Simultaneously, an Océanair TC160, registered F-PTVC, was performing a navigation training flight with an instructor, a student, and a passenger. The F-PTVC had departed from Royan and was communicating with La Rochelle TMA controllers, requesting a transponder code.
At approximately 08:56 UTC, the two aircraft collided at 1,700 feet, roughly two nautical miles southwest of Rochefort. The impact occurred near the commune of Beaugeay, causing both aircraft to crash. The collision resulted in four fatalities: the student pilot of the F-GAOG and all three occupants of the F-PTVC.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight trajectories, radio communications, and the configuration of the La Rochelle TMA. Investigators utilized GPS data from the F-PTVC to reconstruct the flight paths. The investigation also reviewed the status of the aircraft's transponders and the visibility conditions, noting the sun's position at the time of the accident.
Analysis of the wreckage showed a lateral impact where the F-GAOG was positioned to the left of the F-PTVC. The transponder selector on the F-GAOG was found in the "stand-by" position. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the regulatory requirements for pilots operating in Class E airspace and the specific floor altitude of the La Rochelle TMA.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a failure to maintain adequate visual lookout by the occupants of both aircraft.
- The F-GAOG was not visible to air traffic controllers because its transponder was set to "stand-by" and it was not communicating with the La Rochelle TMA controller.
- The position of the sun, which was relatively low on the horizon, likely hindered the student pilot's ability to detect the F-PTVC.
- The configuration of the La Rochelle TMA floor (1,500 feet) forced pilots performing visual reconnaissance of Rochefort to enter the Class E airspace, increasing the risk of conflict.
- High workload on the F-PTVC during the instructional approach may have contributed to a lack of environmental scanning.